Opposing Tension
Posted on | July 7, 2009 | Comments Off
There is one other major principle to introduce before getting into the meat of physical intelligence: opposing tension. This is a universal principle that applies not only to physical movement, but to many other areas of life, and the physical world in general. It can be described quite simply: every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, what goes up must come down… and what goes down must come up again. This principle applies equally to the human body and economic trade.
There are two types of opposing tension: sequential and simultaneous. Physically, the breath is a good example of sequential, while the force of gravity pulling down vs. the effort of the body holding us up an example of simultaneous.
Another example of simultaneous opposing tension in the body occurs in movement: whenever one muscle contracts, another one releases. Simple, elegant, and mind-bendingly revolutionary. In order to bend your elbow, one set of muscles, including the biceps, contracts. At the same time another set of muscles, which include the triceps, must release. If both sets of muscles try to contract at the same time the elbow would never bend.
This is true of any movement we make, and simply being aware of this fact can have long-term positive effects on managing stress. Why? Because by being conscious that every movement comes about not only by contracting muscles, but through a combination of contracting (tensing) and releasing (relaxing) muscles, one can revolutionize one’s relationship with both tension and relaxation. In effect, one becomes better able to integrate relaxation into every activity.
Opposing tension in emotional life
The principle of every action having an equal and opposite reaction applies to everything that is in motion, including states of mind, and emotions. Every large emotion requires an opposite and equally large emotion to counterbalance it. Every act of violence is followed by grief. Every act of kindness is followed by relief. Every action contains its opposite within it. In working with emotions (especially in and through the body), you can act them out or follow the opposing tensions. In doing so, one gains the ability to think through the consequences of their actions, to act both thoughtfully and thoroughly.
Tom High & Tom Low
It’s good to know your highs and your lows, and what triggers them. Emotional lives that are too large or too restricted are both unhealthy, and reflected in the body. Look at the Canadian body (restricted, leading to increased tension, and a reserve that often results in lack of action) vs. Brazilian body (exaggerated, leading to increased anxiety that often results in rash action). Neither is better than the other; they both have strengths and weaknesses. Physical intelligence proposes that what’s best is to have a range of motion — both physically and emotionally — that can handle both, and be able to choose from the complete range as fits the situation rather than what is within your comfort zone.
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author w/big dots
